Dead Poets Society (1989)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Adriel L

  
  Incredible. There hasn't been a film that isn't so attuned to my own concerns, with the truest of sympathies, this film is everything that all my life I bore my deep anguish. And its greatest pull comes from that, even then, the film making is poignantly fleshed. And there… More
  Incredible. There hasn't been a film that isn't so attuned to my own concerns, with the truest of sympathies, this film is everything that all my life I bore my deep anguish. And its greatest pull comes from that, even then, the film making is poignantly fleshed. And there hasn't a film that contains so much of what profoundly implicates oh so many who live in this miserly, dysfunctional society. It is sentimental, and so it ends as it probably should, on a heart-tugging tragedy and finally ends in a keep-the-faith, hopeful note of how we can all come to truly live meaningful lives.

• Cassie H

  
  Carpe Diem. Seize the day. That's the message for Knox Overstreet, Charlie Dalton, Pitts, Steven Meeks, Neil Perry, Todd Anderson and Cameron. Robin Williams stars as the upbeat teacher, John Keating, to these quite different and kids with big dreams. Todd dreams of being a… More
  Carpe Diem. Seize the day. That's the message for Knox Overstreet, Charlie Dalton, Pitts, Steven Meeks, Neil Perry, Todd Anderson and Cameron. Robin Williams stars as the upbeat teacher, John Keating, to these quite different and kids with big dreams. Todd dreams of being a writer and Neil dreams of acting on the stage in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Both will try their hardest to accomplish these goals and one will fail trying.

• Jacob E

  
  This is a film that left me with mixed feelings. Luckily, it has more good than bad (a lot more good), but there is one scene in this film that just simply wasn't done right. Unfortunately, I can't say what the scene is (mostly on the grounds that it's a massive… More
  This is a film that left me with mixed feelings. Luckily, it has more good than bad (a lot more good), but there is one scene in this film that just simply wasn't done right. Unfortunately, I can't say what the scene is (mostly on the grounds that it's a massive spoiler), but one very small detail screws the whole scene up. But the rest of the film's execution is always competent and enjoyable. There are a few scenes that truly rise to greatness, but the rest of the film is simply enjoyable. I definitely recommend seeing it. And one final thing. This is NOT Robin William's best performance, not even close. If you want to see a good performance from him, watch "One-Hour Photo" or "Good Will Hunting."

• Alexander D

  
  There's absolutely no question as to why DEAD POETS SOCIETY was nominated for Best Picture in 1989. Truly, if it weren't for the fact that a few critics thought Robin Williams should have just gone back to comedies (an absolutely idiotic statement, in my opinion, though I… More
  There's absolutely no question as to why DEAD POETS SOCIETY was nominated for Best Picture in 1989. Truly, if it weren't for the fact that a few critics thought Robin Williams should have just gone back to comedies (an absolutely idiotic statement, in my opinion, though I can see a slight bit of their reasoning), this would have easily won the award. "Carpe diem; seize the day, boys!" If that one quote is remembered centuries from now, don't expect me to be at all surprised. DEAD POETS SOCIETY was like a tragic, sometimes witty drama that is one of Robin Williams' best yet.

• moon r

  
  Impressionable prep school types are challenged by wild card English Poetry teacher Williams who encourages them to "feel the words." Will they all take up goth rock???

• Sanjaya &

  
  Before watching this movie, I already heard great reviews about this movie.. And those reviews were true, after almost 2 hours watching this movie I must say that I'm truly impressed with Peter Weir's job in this movie.. Not only he made a great movie that could inspire the… More
  Before watching this movie, I already heard great reviews about this movie.. And those reviews were true, after almost 2 hours watching this movie I must say that I'm truly impressed with Peter Weir's job in this movie.. Not only he made a great movie that could inspire the audience who watch it, but he also collects a great cast full with potential young actors and we see one of them, Ethan Hawke, is now an A-class Hollywood actors.. Robin Williams' performance as Mr. John Keating was truly convincing, and he deserved his Academy Awards nominee for Best Actor.. But the one who steal my attention was Robert Sean because his performance was very good, too bad he didn't get lucky enough to have a nominee.. Overall, it's a great movie, with a great story, and a great cast, I guaranteed you'll be inspired after watching this movie..

• danny d

  
  one of the best films of its decade. as a massive fan of poetry this film was tailor made for me, especially as a fan of keating's perspective. williams was perfect in what may be the best performance of his stellar career. the insights, the inspiration, and the contrasts… More
  one of the best films of its decade. as a massive fan of poetry this film was tailor made for me, especially as a fan of keating's perspective. williams was perfect in what may be the best performance of his stellar career. the insights, the inspiration, and the contrasts built into the characters make the film more than just another "teacher inspires kids" film, as the events surrounding the film are completely believable. the only thing holding the film back from perfection in my mind is the way the film puts a halt to the teaching, the club, the relationships, and the poetry in order to explore a dark final act that in some ways kills the films momentum, but even then what we are given was executed with precision. a wonderful film.

• KJ P

  
  Dead Poets Society grabs a bunch of talented actors, places them in a film where the story is already magnificent, and gives the audience 100% satisfaction. However, that being said, even though the film satisfies and is one of the best scripted films in it's genre, it does feel… More
  Dead Poets Society grabs a bunch of talented actors, places them in a film where the story is already magnificent, and gives the audience 100% satisfaction. However, that being said, even though the film satisfies and is one of the best scripted films in it's genre, it does feel dull at times, because there aren't enough events occurring. Overall, I loved Dead Poets Society. It has emotion, comedy, life lessons and life decisions. What more can you ask for? The final act of the film is unexpected and brutal, which makes it all the more believable. This film is stunning!

• Jameson W

  
  One of my favorite movies of all-time! A brillant, touching, tragic story. Great performances, too. Great movie all around!

• Thomas J

  
  Slow at times but delivers a powerful bang at the end. Some good and some great acting help spotlight Robin Williams performance.

• Jennifer D

  
  At times the story was a bit over dramatic, but the moral is still good.

• Jeremy S

  
  O Captain! My Captain! A film that can be uplifting, heart warming, moving and trgic but always unforgettable. "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."

• Conner R

  
  I will never understand why this has to be as obviously sappy as it is, it still has a lot to like. There were some good performances in it, namely Ethan Hawke, but also some over-acting. The story is interesting, but it never really developed, it just ended with inspirational music… More
  I will never understand why this has to be as obviously sappy as it is, it still has a lot to like. There were some good performances in it, namely Ethan Hawke, but also some over-acting. The story is interesting, but it never really developed, it just ended with inspirational music and a desk standing applause.

• Wahida K

  
  He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary. Robbin Williams was Brilliant in his Role.

• Jennifer X

  
  No offense, but I wasn't super inspired or anything after watching this movie. Robin Williams is funny, and that scene with Ethan Hawke's craziness was the stuff of legends, but all that talk of carpe diem and ripping out pages of poetry oh-this-is-so-pretentious was so… More
  No offense, but I wasn't super inspired or anything after watching this movie. Robin Williams is funny, and that scene with Ethan Hawke's craziness was the stuff of legends, but all that talk of carpe diem and ripping out pages of poetry oh-this-is-so-pretentious was so surface-level to me. So why did I like this film so much? Plain and simple, the high school adolescent preppy horny hormonal BOYS, with big dreams and deliciously hot schoolboy ties and jackets. Whether it was popular premed-turned-actor-turned-tragic-figure Neil, or bad boy Charlie, or shy sweet head-over-heels loverboy Knox, I leave this film salivating for more. Carpe diem guyz!

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Great movie. Robin Williams at his finest. Love it when he… More
  Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Great movie. Robin Williams at his finest. Love it when he does serious roles. Comedy comes so easy to him. So it's nice when he does something like this movie and proves himself to be versatile. Loved the story. Very funny, charming, and yet very sad at the same time. You feel for these characters. The performances were great. A must see..

• Anthony L

  
  Cringe worthy, contrived and convoluted. Not Peter Weir at his best, this is just Oscar fodder and complete garbage!

• Thomas B

  
  one of the most inspirational films in the history of inspirational films, dead poets society has stood the test of time. robin williams' character is as loveable and admirable today as it was when the film came out. peter weir's direction is incredible also (check out the… More
  one of the most inspirational films in the history of inspirational films, dead poets society has stood the test of time. robin williams' character is as loveable and admirable today as it was when the film came out. peter weir's direction is incredible also (check out the foggy run through the forest, breathtaking)

• Chris W

  
  Not the most original film at the time of its release, but if it's any consolation, many imitators followed in its wake. I think this is an inspiring and moving film. Williams is restrained for almost all of it, but that's fine-it's one of his best performances. The… More
  Not the most original film at the time of its release, but if it's any consolation, many imitators followed in its wake. I think this is an inspiring and moving film. Williams is restrained for almost all of it, but that's fine-it's one of his best performances. The other performances are also really good. As this is a Peter Weir film, the cinematography and overall look of the film are just gorgeous. The fact thatthis film is still shown in AP English classes is a testament to how good the film, even if the message (even though it's a great one) is nothing new.

• Jani H

  
  "Oh captain, my captain." Peter Weir's been nominated 6 times for best director at the Academy Awards, failing to win it. "Dead Poets Society" could've been his best attempt thus far. The film is simply wonderful. I'm not a big fan of English… More
  "Oh captain, my captain." Peter Weir's been nominated 6 times for best director at the Academy Awards, failing to win it. "Dead Poets Society" could've been his best attempt thus far. The film is simply wonderful. I'm not a big fan of English litterature or poetry but if I would have had a teacher like John Keating, played by Robin Williams, I might've been a lot more interested at class. Mr Williams is simply great is his role as the unorthodox teacher. If I remember correctly, this role was his first real attempt to do a serious performance. He does bring out his goofy side at times but it never goes over the top. Could this be his best performance ever? "This is a battle, a war, and the casualties could be your hearts and souls." The boys who continue the legacy of the Dead poets society, consist of some very nice talent, including a young Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Many of 'em have made their first appearance in a motion picture and I must say that they did a wonderful job. Peter Weir really got the best out of them. There are several scenes that brought out strong emotions in me. The biggest of them was the memorable final scene, where the boys who refused to let the system hold them back, stood up on their desks as the first one of them said the words; "Oh captain, my captain." Simply awesome. The screenwriter, Tom Schulman, deserved the honor that his script brought him. Wonderful and well suited quotations from beautiful poems. Its funny to look at his filmography, as most of his work consist of such films as "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids", "What About Bob?" and other lame comedies. "Dead Poets Society" is a beautiful film that features a lot of strong performances and scenes, that will definitely bring tears to the eyes of even the most toughest viewers. Wish they would make more films like this.

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